- Will readers like it?
- Will they think it measures up to the other two in the series?
I actually do want to know the answers!
So I need to launch the book into the world.
In the past, I was intimidated by all the things people shared on how to launch a book. I was overwhelmed by all the choices and so did nothing.
Maybe that's familiar to you. Maybe you've been there, or are there now.
But the amazing thing I've learned in publishing over 10 novels is that there is no one right way to write a book or market a book.
I focused on the things I could control, that I liked to do, and that I could afford.
These days, during a pandemic, that means focusing on:
- Preparing my website
- Involving my Beta Readers & Street Team and finding more book reviewers
- Participating in group giveaways
I'll share a bit more about each one next.
WEBSITE
I created a book page on my author site.
The book page includes:
- a buy link
- a release date
- an excerpt
- and links to the other books in the series
ARC READERS/STREET TEAM
I sent out finished copies of the book to my ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and Street Team people that I've been cultivating over the years.
I used BookFunnel's Giveaway tool in the Mid-List Author with Integrations Annual plan. At $150 per year, it's worth it to me to automate my ARC campaign, and to be able to participate in Group Giveaways. More on that next.
Additionally, I plan to contact my Beta Readers personally and gift them copies of the book, as a thank you to them.
Lastly, I'm using the ARC program at Hidden Gems for this book. It's $20 to reserve a book. I make sure to do it early -- as soon as I set up my preorder -- as their lead times are 9 months. I just reserved a spot for the fourth book in my series that comes out in November. The earliest spot I could get was for the beginning of January 2022.
GROUP GIVEAWAYS
I have been building my author mailing list over the years.
I've also signed up for 2 group giveaways on Book Funnel. What this means: every author agrees to share to their list about the giveaway, which invites readers to download a free book by each of the authors participating. The readers get to choose which books they want and agree to be added to that author's list.
For this giveaway, I am giving away the first book in the series, Into The Black. You can check it out here:
HOW DO I KNOW MY BOOK LAUNCH IS WORKING?
To know if my book launch efforts are working, I first need to know what I mean by "working."
For me that means: finding and reaching readers via my giveaways and monthly newsletter, requesting book reviews, and making it easy for people to decide if they like my book.
I focus on what I can control. I don't focus on sales because I can't control those.
I do know that the more I share about my book to those who influence others -- book reviewers and other authors with a reach -- the more my book can reach its right readers and the more they will buy my books.
WHERE'S MY FOCUS?
By the time I was ready to publish my first novel, I knew I needed to start thinking about marketing. But I was scared.
Realizations... Now I see that:
- Some action is better than no action;
- Small actions are satisfying, and
- There is no perfect, there is only doing the marketing activity as best I can (which we all do anyway) and that is good.
Your Turn
If you want to start marketing your books, or if you've already started, then I invite you to think about what you would like for your book marketing.
Hit reply and let me know and let's start the conversation.
